Fire, Fire Everywhere... (Coeur d'Alene, Salmon, Spirit Lake: homes, campgrounds, living in)

[esselcue]

Sure hope no one on the forum is being threatened by all the fires raging. The smoke here in Spirit Lake is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

[cleosmom]

We've had a few to the east, west and southwest of us. So far, so good. Hope your end of the state stays out of people's homes being in the path of danger.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

I just read about all the wildfires--apparently we made it from 55 up 21 to Stanley just in time, less than 2 weeks ago! What a glorious ride, and what mountain views! Now they're propaply completely obscured by smoke. The Banner Fire has closed 21 on and off the past week. Hate to think of the habitats lost, fleeing animals, cabins and campgrounds in danger...but that's the reality this time of year. Let's hope for a short fire season in ID.

[Canine*Castle]

I'm considering retiring to Idaho. Is it mostly north Idaho that is plagued with fire danger?

I have no clue yet where I'll end up, but I'm looking at Salmon right now. I listed some criteria a while back and from that, one poster thought Hagerman would be a good place for me. Now I'm thinking a tad more snow is something I wouldn't mind. I cannot wait to visit your beautiful state again. I haven't been there since 1978, driving to Coeur d'Alene while visiting family in Washington.

[tdna]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

I'm considering retiring to Idaho. Is it mostly north Idaho that is plagued with fire danger?

I have no clue yet where I'll end up, but I'm looking at Salmon right now. I listed some criteria a while back and from that, one poster thought Hagerman would be a good place for me. Now I'm thinking a tad more snow is something I wouldn't mind. I cannot wait to visit your beautiful state again. I haven't been there since 1978, driving to Coeur d'Alene while visiting family in Washington.

Here's a good site for keeping track of wildfire InciWeb the Incident Information System: Idaho Incidents

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by tdna

Here's a good site for keeping track of wildfire InciWeb the Incident Information System: Idaho Incidents

Thank you.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

I'm considering retiring to Idaho. Is it mostly north Idaho that is plagued with fire danger?

I have no clue yet where I'll end up, but I'm looking at Salmon right now. I listed some criteria a while back and from that, one poster thought Hagerman would be a good place for me. Now I'm thinking a tad more snow is something I wouldn't mind. I cannot wait to visit your beautiful state again. I haven't been there since 1978, driving to Coeur d'Alene while visiting family in Washington.

Hi CC, and welcome back! If you'll remind us of your criteria, we'll weigh in. As you can tell from the wildfire website, anywhere there's forest/dry vegetation there's a danger of wildfires, but (I could be wrong) it usually isn't a threat to entire towns and suburbs like in SoCal . Except of course something like the Big Burn of 1910...

tdna, that is a great website! Thanks!

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by tdna

Here's a good site for keeping track of wildfire InciWeb the Incident Information System: Idaho Incidents

It won't allow me to rep you yet... thanks for the link

[esselcue]

Hi CC...love your name, by the way! I think any place with forests or wildlands is going to have some fire danger, but as was mentioned, it doesn't seem as destructive to cities and communities up here. I retired here (Spirit Lake) almost seven months ago...best decision I have ever made!

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

I'm considering retiring to Idaho. Is it mostly north Idaho that is plagued with fire danger?

I have no clue yet where I'll end up, but I'm looking at Salmon right now. I listed some criteria a while back and from that, one poster thought Hagerman would be a good place for me. Now I'm thinking a tad more snow is something I wouldn't mind. I cannot wait to visit your beautiful state again. I haven't been there since 1978, driving to Coeur d'Alene while visiting family in Washington.

There is no one area of Idaho that's less or more prone to fire. There have been major fires in the northern, central and southern parts of Idaho in the past, as all areas of the state have forests.

As an example- Salmon had several big burns in 2000 and following years, and Hagerman is now having a large range fire just southwest of the area. In thje past, Northern Idaho was part of the Big Burn, the largest wildfire recorded in recent history (in 1910).

The range fires suffered in the southern areas of the state can be just as severe as a forest fire, and faster moving.

Fires are a part of living in the West. No state, from the Pacific coast to the eastern slope of the Rockies is immune from fires, and what states may be most prone in a particular year is very hard to predict, as minor shifts in temperature, winds and humidity can make huge differences in either starting or preventing wildfires.

However, not all wildfires end up being big burns. Weather, proximity to effective firefighting, and many other factors limit most wildfires from becoming huge.

The thing is awareness of fire potential. Homes and cabins are too often built right in the middle of a tree stand, veiled from view by roads through forest, and have areas around the buildings that tall grasses, sagebrush, and other low fuel for fires allowed to grow, in the desire for 'naturalness'. A grass fire can wipe out a cabin just as fast as a tall forest fire. When precautions are taken to minimize the chances for a fire to reach a home, the chances are much decreased.